"We played well at times in winning the first two games," said Pequot Lakes coach Kate Dale, whose team finished third last year at the tournament after losing to Onamia in the semifinals. "In the championship match, I told the girls they needed to be more consistant against a good Pine River-Backus team. And they responded well. They didn't let up."

The tournament win is a nice reward for the young Patriots, who lost seven players to graduation and two more to injuries.

Pequot Lakes was led individually by Morgan Lohmiller with 14 kills and 20 set assists; Vanessa Lane with 15 kills and 10 digs; and Katie White with 12 kills and 39 set assists.

Pequot Lakes is scheduled to play at Pierz on Tuesday, Sept. 10, and then host Wadena-Deer Creek on Thursday, Sept. 12. Admission will be free for the match against the Wolverines in the new Pequot Lakes school gymnasium.